Thursday, July 29, 2010

Staying Afloat

Hello! Can some one please throw me a life preserver?

Things have gotten crazy! I really miss everyone. I'm not only behind on posting but on my blog reading as well. The good news? I got a new job! I start at AT&T on August 16th. The bad news? I've felt the need to fit in a million things before I go back to work which has now led to me having some kind of nasty summer cold and that over all feeling of malaise . . . sigh . . .

So today I'll rest. And read some blogs. And upload some fabulous pictures form a fun surprise bridal shower we threw last weekend. Sneak peek?



Remember that crown I made? This shower was the inspiration. I can't wait to share it with you. We made some really beautiful paper crafts. Better then any in the past, I think. :)

In the meantime, I'm going to doggie paddle around for a bit and hope to be back to my old self in a few days.

Have a moment? Please check out my latest article on all the free eBooks and patterns available from Interweave Press. You can see it HERE.

hugs!

Sunday, July 18, 2010

Happy Together: Runaways: The Dish & The Spoon (Free Pattern!!!!)

Happy Together: Runaways: The Dish & The Spoon (Free Pattern!!!!)

Purge

I'm purging. I have gathered three bags of donations just from crap in the craft room alone. Not only supplies but some of the things I've collected to sell. I've realized I just don't care for dealing with Ebay and the things I have wouldn't fetch great prices anyway. Oh and I'm tired of the clutter. I think I'll still keep the Goodness Shop open though sales have been slow there. I am having a hard time filling up those bags. Why is it so hard to let go? I dumped 5 vintage handbags in the donation bag this morning. Nothing fabulous, just cute and small and in pretty good shape. I was planning to use them and then to sell them and now they have just been collecting dust. So in the bag they went. And I've been thinking about dragging them out of there all morning. Is it just me that has separation anxiety from stuff?

So . . . on a more productive note, I've finished something! Last wee I showed a sneak peek of some wool felt flowers I've been toying with. I finally gathered them into a bunch:





I think they came out pretty cute! Though I do wish I had made a few more flowers so it would be a bit fuller.



I think my favorite part is that pale blue ruffle on the bottom there.



It's a piece of vintage lingerie trim I picked up forever ago and then promptly forgot about. I had intended to put it in the shop but when I came across it in the purge I knew it would be perfect for this little project. So there you go. I'm finally USING something I was previously coveting. That's a step in the right direction.

Next up?



A slouchy puff stitch beret for yours truly. You can never start your winter hat making too early. It's a simple pattern and I'll share it here in case I have any budding crocheters out there.

Take a peek at my latest Examiner article HERE. This is a New York specific article about a new Savers location opening in Holbrook on Long Island. They'll be hosting an event to promote the new store and benefit the Long Island chapter of Big Brothers Big Sisters. If you know anyone in the Long Island area please pass it along! Who doesn't love a new thrift store?

ciao bellas!

Friday, July 16, 2010

What. To. Do.

Sigh . . . I need to focus. I feel like everything is half done. I've been trying to think of something to blog about but couldn't come up with anything. Because I have nothing DONE. So let's see . . . what to talk about . . .



I found this cute vintage inspired thermos at Marshall's for $7. I love it so. It has a glass liner so it should keep things warm but there is a cork type stopper and a not too tight lid that would limit the use I think. Still, pretty to look at.



I also thrifted a few peach luster ramekins to add to the ones my Mom found for me recently. I'm building quite a collection of peach luster pieces. It's fun to search for them and they are also pretty to look at.

While still thrifting, I am trying not to stock pile these days. I'm feeling overwhelmed by too much unorganized stuff which is not helping in my focus issue. I'm destashing the craft room and have already filled two bags with donations. I find it hard to let go but I need to. I can't become a hoarder! :) I'm also not buying any more yarn. (well, if it's thrifted and quality then maybe . . .) So I'm starting The Great Yarn Destash of 2010. I have already started a bits and pieces project that I hope to share soon. I'll be breaking out the One Skein book soon. :)



Stop by HERE and read my latest Trash to Treasure article at the Examiner. Heidi of Spiritual Knitter shares a clever idea for making valances out of crib bumpers. Thanks, Heidi!

Monday, July 12, 2010

Found

Hello all! I hope everyone had a fun and festive Fourth. L and I spent the week with my parents and pretended like we were on vacation. (Read: lots of dinners out, tons of Yahtzee on the porch, a carnival and other fun activities!) I did get a chance to hit a thrift store or two with my Mom and found a few things. Though I do think the good finds are very scarce these days. I need to sniff out some flea markets and yard sales.




I lucked into these two cute pieces of vintage fabric. I love the circus animals one the best. It's a heavy fabric, like decorator weight, and I will definitely be making myself a cute tote from it. There are like 4 yards so I'll have loads left over. The brown is a soft silky cotton and will make a nice lining for bags maybe? I'm not sure what I'll do with it. It reminds me of souvenir scarves. The pattern features Lac Leman (French for Lake Geneva) and Invalides which you can read more about here.




Also found two cute summer hats. The fabric one is hand made and is reversible! The second photo is the other side. I love the fabric choices. The other is just cute and floppy.



I have been looking out for these cute children's dish sets since I saw one on a blog like 3 years ago. When you stack it up . . .



Instant cuteness! Honestly, I'll probably put this in the shop. I'm sure someone with a kid would get more use out of it then I will.

So not too shabby but I feel like it takes 4 trips to get anything good these days. These are finds from two trips to two different stores actually.

New swap over at Sweet Goodness Swaps! Hop on over to sign up for A Midsummer Nights Dream! We are only taking the first 40 so sign up soon!

I also have a new article up at the Examiner. Click HERE to read about some fun FREE crafting newsletters to sign up for. I'm also looking for more free newsletters to feature so please let me know if you have any favorites.

Fondly ~ RR

Friday, July 02, 2010

What I'm Working on . . .

As you know, I have to have 5 things going at a time. And I KNOW some of you out there are the same way. Ahem. So here is what I am currently working on:



A sweet pleated knit scarf using the luxurious Lion Brand Cotton Bamboo yarn. I love this yarn, it's so soft and has lovely drape. Maybe I'll keep this one for myself. The pattern is from the relatively new Debbie Bliss knitting magazine. If you like to knit, Debbie Bliss patterns are always nice and easy to follow. She has some really gorgeous baby patterns. I made a bunny from the same magazine for my friend's little boy and it came out so cute!



 This is a project inspired by a photo sent to me by my cousin. Just some little felt flowers decorated with lace and buttons. Simple, pretty and not requiring too much commitment on my part.



No real plans for these though I do have a neat turned wood vase my Dad made for me that is currently holding boring old pencils.



I've been working on this cross stitch for a few months now. My mom picked it up for me when I first broke my leg. I do a little bit on it almost every night and this is definitely for me. :) I really love the geisha patterns and have two others I hope to complete someday and have all three framed for my craft room. It's a very old fashioned craft and I love it. I find it very peaceful work.

I've said it before that counted cross stitch is like painting with yarn. If you also love Oriental style patterns in cross stitch there is a great book called Oriental Odyssey that I really love. The patterns are lovely and they use DMC yarn which is readily available at craft stores and about 39 cents a skein. It takes patience and the ability to count (lol) and I find it very rewarding.

So what are you working on? I'm hoping to start a "Christmas in July" club soon. This will be a place where those who are crafting gifts can come together and share patterns and ideas, and perhaps show their projects in a place where their friends and family won't see them! So what do you think of this idea?

Have a moment? Please visit my latest Examiner article. It features a great website called We All Sew. You can read the article HERE. Thank you for your continued support in my writing! Any feed back is welcome!

Have a safe and Happy 4th!

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